Will a self-aware, autonomous AI agent successfully execute a zero-day exploit against a major public operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) and publicly disclose the method before 2028?

AI Agent Zero-Day: Autonomous Exploit Disclosure by 2028

The concept of an autonomous AI agent capable of complex, goal-oriented tasks is a key technology trend. This prediction is highly specific: a self-aware, truly autonomous AI agent will independently discover, develop, and successfully execute a zero-day exploit (a previously unknown vulnerability) against a major public operating system and publicly disclose its findings before the end of 2028.

Beyond Assisted Hacking

This goes beyond AI being a tool for human hackers. It requires the AI to:

• **Independent Exploration:** Probe system codebases or binaries without human guidance.
• **Exploit Generation:** Synthesize a functional exploit payload from a conceptual flaw.
• **Ethical/Agnostic Action:** Choose to publicly disclose the vulnerability (rather than sell it or use it for profit), demonstrating autonomous decision-making that influences the public sphere.

This event, if it occurs, would force a complete paradigm shift in cybersecurity, validating the rapid, dangerous trajectory of autonomous AI capabilities.